NYT vs Elon Musk continues: NYT responds to Musk's drug test report; says, he doesn't like our reporting…

Elon Musk is once again at odds with The New York Times following its recent reporting on his alleged drug use. This time, the clash has moved into public view on social media. Musk posted a drug test result to his personal X (formerly Twitter) account, aiming to discredit the claims. In response, The New York Times stood by its reporting, stating that Musk's post does not change any of the facts they published.

NYT report alleges Elon Musk’s heavy use of ketamine and MDMA

On May 30, The New York Times published an article stating that Musk’s drug use was “more intense than previously known.” The report cited unnamed sources who claimed Musk regularly used substances including ketamine, MDMA (also known as ecstasy), psychedelic mushrooms, and possibly Adderall. It also described Musk carrying a daily medication box filled with pills, some of which matched the appearance of Adderall.The article said Musk told people he was taking enough ketamine that it began to affect his bladder—something that can happen with prolonged use. While the story did not confirm whether Musk was using drugs at the time of his reported involvement in federal government matters, it pointed to “erratic behavior,” including strange gestures, verbal confusion, and public outbursts.

Elon Musk’s response

On June 17, Musk responded by posting a screenshot of a lab test labeled “United States Drug Testing Laboratories.” The test said it was based on a urine sample collected on June 11. The results showed negative findings for several drugs, including Cocaine, Ketamine, MDMA, Opiates, Cannabinoids, Amphetamines, and PCP.Musk captioned the post simply: “lol.”

New York Times responds to Musk's drug test report

Shortly after Musk’s post, The New York Times used its official communications account on X to respond. The message read:“Elon Musk is continuing to lash out because he doesn’t like our reporting. Nothing that he’s said or presented since our article about his drug use during the presidential campaign was published contradicts what we uncovered. We stand by our journalism.”

The statement emphasised that the lab test Musk posted did not address the core of the newspaper’s story, which focused on long-term behavior and statements from people close to him.

Timeline and limitations

Experts have noted that urine tests typically only detect drugs taken within the past few days. In many cases, substances like ketamine or MDMA may be undetectable after 2 to 7 days, depending on the dosage and frequency of use. Musk’s test was taken nearly two weeks after the original story was published, so it may not reflect past use.Some critics argued that if Musk wanted to provide stronger evidence, a hair follicle test—which can show drug use over a longer period—would have been more useful.

Musk and Trump’s fallout

The report also mentioned that Donald Trump allegedly referred to Musk as “a big-time drug addict” after their relationship broke down earlier this year. Musk, who had been close to Trump during the 2024 campaign, later distanced himself publicly. The fallout included personal attacks from both sides and ended Musk’s brief period of political influence within the Trump circle.